Funes' motivational masterstroke: Málaga boss taps into players' roots to inspire away win
Sergio Funes continues his unbeaten league run as Málaga manager with a clever psychological tactic that had his players buzzing before their victory at Sporting Gijón.
Málaga’s unbeaten boss found yet another way to fire up his squad – by taking them on a trip down memory lane before their impressive away victory.
The Funes effect continues
Sergio Funes is turning into a proper diamond for Málaga, ain’t he? The gaffer from Loja has now gone three matches on the bounce with wins, including that tasty 1-3 result away at Sporting Gijón. More importantly, he’s finally sorted that dodgy away form that was giving Málaga fans the right hump.
What’s his secret sauce? Well, the bloke’s got a way with words that’s sticking in his players’ heads. But his latest motivational trick before their first match of 2026 was absolutely brilliant.
Back to the beginning
Funes has been hunting for fresh ways to get his dressing room buzzing, and this time he went proper old school. He tapped into the power of nostalgia by reminding his squad where they all started their football journeys.
He’d already dropped hints in his pre-match presser, banging on about how his team needs to remember the joy of playing football. But what awaited the players at El Molinón was something special.
The surprise in the locker room
When the Málaga lads rocked up to the changing room, they found something unexpected in their lockers:
- Printouts featuring the badges of the clubs where they first learned their trade
- For some players, the actual shirts of those childhood clubs tucked under their Málaga kit
This wasn’t just some last-minute brainwave either – Funes and his coaching staff had been planning this little number for days. The squad absolutely loved it, with several players like Dotor (Rayo Majadahonda), Lobete (KE Allerru) and Izan Merino (CD Tiro Pichón) sharing the gesture on their social media.
Tactical nous meets psychological edge
It wasn’t just mind games from Funes though. His tactical approach against Sporting was spot on. Recognizing that their opponents rarely conceded but left space in wide areas, he deployed a two-striker system with wide players exploiting the flanks.
“They give away those lateral corridors,” the manager explained after the match, praising his players for executing the gameplan perfectly. He challenged them to perform away from home just as they do at La Rosaleda – and they delivered in spades.
With his unbeaten league record intact and the team’s confidence growing, Funes is proving to be much more than just a motivational speaker. The Málaga faithful will be hoping this purple patch continues as they push on in Segunda División.